So far £1.4bn has been conditionally allocated to 164 projects through two bidding rounds, creating and safeguarding over 330,000 jobs. More than £6bn in private investment also supports the programme.

The fund’s total value is £2.4bn and 29 projects have so far received funding after legal checks and Government assessment to ensure the deals offer the best value for taxpayers.

“The Regional Growth Fund is already helping the economy grow in every region and across a range of industries. The 641 jobs announced today is more good news for people in Teesside, Essex, Crewe and Halifax.

“For too long the UK economy has been too focused on the City of London.

“The Regional Growth Fund is unlocking private sector investment, with at least £5 put in for every £1 of public money, letting businesses in Britain thrive.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “It’s excellent that four more companies are benefitting from the Regional Growth Fund. This support continues to provide a significant boost to the local economies, lever in significant investment and will create jobs where they are needed most.

“The projects will support advanced manufacturing techniques, enable R&D to develop new products and improve skills, all of which are vital to support growth and help rebalance the economy.”

public sector executive tv

last word

Following the recent Grenfell Tower tragedy, Lord Porter, chairman of the LGA, argues that if the public are going to have faith in the safety testing process then everything must be out in the openmore >more last word articles >

editor's comment

Devolution, restructuring and widespread service reform: from a journalist’s perspective, it’s never been a more exciting time to report on the public sector. That’s why I could not be more thrilled to be taking over the reins at PSE at this key juncture.
There could not be a feature that more perfectly encapsulates this feeling of imminent change than the article James Palmer, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has penned for us on p28. In it, he highlights...read more >